Monday, March 28, 2011

Volunteers commended for rescuing tourist lost in Gunung Brinchang

KUANTAN: It was the cooperation between the public and police that saved Lee Wonk-seok, son of the South Korean Ambassador to Malaysia, after he went missing at Gunung Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.

Businessman Ramakrishnan Ramasamy, 45, said he, along with 12 other volunteers and the police managed to locate Lee, in his 20s, in a 12-hour search-and-rescue operation on Tuesday.

“The trek would be tough for outsiders but we are used to it since we are locals. Furthermore, we are always prepared to help search for lost tourists,” he said.

Brave men: Ramakrishnan (left) and the men involved in the searchand- rescue operation, posing for a photo with the police.

He added that they had started the operation at 8pm after receiving a report from the South Korean Embassy that a tourist who went trekking could not find his way out of the mountain.

“Though confused and worn out, Lee was really relieved to see us,” said Ramakrishnan.

The men involved in the operation were presented with commendation letters by state deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Fatimah Ghazali during the state level 204th National Police Day celebration on Friday.

Malaysian Police Volunteer Reserve officer ASP Datuk Johny Ch’ng Ewe Gee, who was recently appointed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to be the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation state chairman, was also presented with a commendation letter. -- The Star.

[footnote]
This was not the last time I read about people getting lost while jungle trekking in Cameron Highlands. Especially Path #1 Gunung Brinchang trail, even for season hiking adventure enthusiast get lost! So do be careful and always leave word about your hiking activities.